Sara's Blog

Hello again!

It's been a while since my last posting... I have been busy, busy, busy!  So, what have I been up to?  Sewing and most importantly lining up all of the guests for our next taping!  We will be heading back into the studio again in July and this is the time when lots of work begins; sewing samples for the set, coming up with show topics and projects, arranging the guests and studio and SEW much more!  I am really looking forward to this taping and soon I'll start letting you in on who some of our up and coming Sewlebrities will be!

Speaking of Sewlebrities... Our latest webisode is up!  Lynda Howell joined us from the Stitch Connection and let me tell you, I learned so much sitting next to her for 30 minutes!  She is truly an innovative sewer with adorable ideas and endless tips and techniques!  She has many books and patterns on hand and machine applique.  What I love so much is how she uses lots of the stitches in her machine for applique, not just your standard straight and blanket stitches.  Even better, she teaches us a quick software technique.  Karla and Jennifer also came up with quick easy ways to use hand applique patterns with their machines!

I am sure you are going to love Lynda's webisode, for more of her books and patterns, be sure to check out www.stitchconnection.com  Aside from the fact that Lynda is so talented and so clever, it was a pleasure to work with her.  If you ever see her booth at a show, please be sure to say, "Hello."  She has a wonderfully warm nature and you will undoubtedly leave her booth with a smile on your face!

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Sara

Hello NowSewer!!

So you've heard the expression, DIY - how about EIY!  "Embroider It Yourself" is the theme of Eileen Roche of Designs in Machine Embroidery's new series of DVD's.  In our latest webisode of BTS, Eileen is showing us how she creates one of her "Boatload of Bags" almost completely in an embroidery hoop!  It's a very clever process and, of course, no ensemble is complete without matching shoes and even a belt buckle!  She shows us a quick, easy way to create a matching belt buckle.  For the shoes, you'll have to check out her website www.dzgns.com.

Eileen is the editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine - the genius behind creating and compiling their helpful tips and beautiful projects!  The magazine is full of tips and projects to help you make the very most of your embroidery machine.  She also has several clever embroidery notions, that make quick work of hooping and aligning your projects and designs.  On top of everything else, she has written several books that all inspire confidence and creativity in embroidery!

Designs in Machine Embroidery is celebrating their 50th issue, what a milestone!  To celebrate with all of you, they are offering a free online edition complete with free instructions for 50 of Eileen's favorite projects!  What better way to celebrate than by rewarding all of you who have surely helped make the magazine so successful!

I hope that you all enjoy this latest episode of Behind the Seams, and don't forget to visit Eileen's site for tips, designs and lots of projects!  It was a joy to have Eileen in the studio, the depth of her creativity is bottomless and you are sure to learn something new each time you read Designs or check out the site!

Talk to you all soon!!

Sara

Hello Everyone!!

Today is an exciting day for me...I get to share a few free patterns!  Our NowSewing Sewlebrities are so generous and like to keep us posted on what's new.  Lorraine Torrence from Lorraine Torrence Designs and Grainline Gear Patterns has sent a few patterns for me to share with all of you!

Be sure to check out her webisode of Behind the Seams, "Creative Vest Patterns."  I have 5 assorted patterns to give to the first 5 Community Members to email your name, address and favorite sewing tip or trick to me at: behindtheseamsinfo@gmail.com

Just type "Contest" into the subject line.

Learn more about Lorraine and her two pattern lines at www.lorrainetorrence.com

Good Luck!!!

Sara

Hi Again!

OK, so if you know me, you probably know that I'm a little...um... fanatical about my new buddy Valori Wells...  There is just something about her fabric that I can't get enough of!!

Her new fabric collection "Olive Rose" is out and I am loving the projects she has come up with!

Along with gorgeous quilts, she has come up with some cute whimsical patterns as well as some very functional accessories...

And with it being Donna's National Home Dec month, who doesn't need a Sole covered chair to invite spring!!

Be sure to check out her site, www.valoriwells.com to see more of her fabric, while you're there, link to her blog to see more projects and her super-cute kiddos!

I am new to this whole blogging thing, so I look at other great blogs for ideas.  Valori gives away tons of freebies to her loyal followers and she has inspired me to share the wealth!  Check back soon, you never know when I might post a contest....

Sara

Hello NowSewers! 

I hope you are all having a great week.  My head is spinning from the week in Paducah!  Fabrics and notions and QUILTS, oh my!  Luckily, I was invited to attend the awards ceremony, what an experience!  To see the award winning quilts and feel the enthusiasm in the room was the perfect way to kick off the show.  If you weren't able to attend the show, check out this site and see all of the award winning quilts: http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/paducah/2008/quilt_contest/

You are sure to find inspiration for you next project here!  Congratulations to all of the contestants!

Once again, I was able to meet some of you at the show!  What a pleasure.  That reminded me that I have a picture from Seattle of one of our community members:


What a lovely woman, originally from Europe, now living in the Seattle area. 

While at the show, I was on the prowl for the latest and greatest and booked a couple of very exciting guests for the show.  We'll be heading back to the studio in July to tape 12 more webisodes.  We always try to find what you, the community, are looking for.  If you have any great suggestions, let me know!

I had a few extra minutes one night before dinner so I stopped by Caryl Bryer Fallert's srudio.  If you aren't familiar with Caryl, she is an award winning artist.  She has won the AQS Best in Show 3 times, but what I didn't know is that she has also won many awards for her garments.  I heard one person in the studio comment that she didn't know Caryl made garments and Caryl responded, "Funny, in the 80's, people didn't know I made quilts!"  Oh how I wish I would have gotten a picture with her and had her sign one of the kits I bought!  What was I thinking!  Here are a couple of examples of her work, the quilt is "Birds of a Different Color":


Check out her site for more: www.bryerpatch.com

Caryl is a master of color, using bold colors in such a fascinating and dynamic manner.  She is also an incredible machine quilter.  Not your traditional stippling and feather quilting, some of that with an artful adaptation but incredible free forms that mirror each individual piece.  I got a few kits to learn and practice her techniques.  Oh, and the fabrics!!  She has incredible bold collections where the fabric starts one color and blends into several others, with coordinates to match, of course!  I had no idea where to begin - I loved all of the colors and could have easily spent thousands!  Alas, I bought a couple of instructional kits and promised myself I would return once I complete them.  Oh my, did I just give myself a quilting rule??  Must amend immediately...

Enough rambling for now... Check back again soon, I have an idea for a contest, of sorts, rolling around in my head.

Sara